Explanation
of the Elements
It
would be appropriate to use Bruce Lee's own words to explain the
original school emblem, the yin and yang symbol:
"JKD is
based on the symbol of Yin and Yang, a pair of mutually
complementary and interdependent forces that act continuously,
without cessation, in this universe. In the above symbol, the
Yin and Yang are two interlocking parts of 'one whole,' each
containing within its confines the qualities of its
complementaries. Etymologically, the characters of Yin and Yang
mean darkness and light. The ancient character of Yin, the dark
part of the circle, is a drawing of clouds and hill. Yin can
represent anything in the universe as: negativeness,
passiveness, gentleness, internal, insubstantiality, femaleness,
moon, darkness, night, etc. The other complementary half of the
circle is Yang, which in its ancient form is written with the
lower part of the character signifying slanting sunrays, while
the upper part represents the sun. Yang can represent anything
as positiveness. activeness, firmness, external, substantiality,
maleness, sun, brightness, day, etc. The common mistake of most
martial artists is to identify these two forces, Yin and Yang as
dualistic (thus the so-called soft styles and the firm styles).
Yin/Yang is one separate force of one unceasing interplay of
movement. They are conceived of as essentially one, or as two
co-existing forces of one indivisible whole. They are neither
cause and effect, but should be looked at as sound and echo or
light and shadow. If this 'oneness' is viewed as two separate
entities, realization of the ultimate reality of JKD won't be
achieved. In reality, things are 'whole' and cannot be separated
into two parts. When I say the heat makes me perspire, the heat
and perspiring are just one process as they are co-existent and
the one could not exist but for the other. If a person riding a
bicycle wishes to go somewhere, he cannot pump on both pedals at
the same time or not pumping them at all. In order to go
forward, he has to pump on one pedal and release the other. So
the movement or going forward required this 'oneness' of pumping
and releasing. Pumping is the result of releasing and vice
versa, each being the cause and result of the other Things do
have their complementaries, and complementaries co-exist.
Instead of mutually exclusive, they are mutually dependent and
are a function each of the other. In the Yin/Yang symbol there
is a white spot on the black part and a black on the white one.
This is to illustrate the balance in life, for nothing can
survive long by going to either extremes, be it pure Yin
(gentleness) or pure Yang (firmness). Notice that the stiffest
tree is most easily cracked. while the bamboo or willow survive
by bending with the wind. In JKD, Yang (firmness) should be
concealed in Yin (gentleness) and Yin in Yang. Thus a JKD man
should be soft yet not yielding, firm, yet not hard."
According
to Dan Lee, "Bruce added two arrows around the Tai Chi
circle to further emphasize that the JKD fighting techniques
must contain the harmonious interplay of Yin (pliable, yielding)
and Yang (firm, assertiveness) energies." It is to
emphasize the continuous, unceasing interplay between the two
forces of the universe: Yin and Yang.
The
Chinese phrases surrounding the symbol are: "Using No Way
as Way" and "Having No Limitation as Limitation,"
pronounced "Yee Mo Faat Way Yao Faat" and "Yee Mo
Haan Way Yao Haan" respectively. Regarding the first
statement, one is to approach combat without any preconceived
notions, and simply respond to "what is." In this way,
the martial artist is adaptable and pliable enough to fit in
with the opponent and situation instantaneously. He is using no
particular or set way that was preconditioned in him.
"No-mindedness'' is a term often used to describe this
state of unconscious consciousness or conscious unconsciousness.
And, indeed, it is an ideal state that is difficult to attain
but which one aspires to. In addition, one tries to be like
water when using this "no-way" approach. Water
automatically assumes the container that it is poured in,
thereby constantly fitting in with and adapting to the
situation.
By
having no limitation as the only limitation, one can transcend
martial arts boundaries that are set by style, tradition, race,
individual preferences, etc. Lee gave the JFJKD man the freedom
to explore other martial arts with the only limitation being
that he has only has two hands and two feet and the objective is
how to use them to the maximum. Furthermore, Lee wanted us to
search deep within ourselves to find what works best for each
one of us. No longer are we dependent on the teachings of
various styles or teachers. But by taking an honest assessment
of our own strengths and weaknesses, we can improve our martial
skill as well as our daily living. Like he said,
"Knowledge... ultimately, means self-knowledge." With
this freedom to improve our skill and life in any way that we
like, one is able to honestly express one's self.
The
symbol in the bottom left square is Bruce Lee's personal
"chop," which comes from a traditional Chinese seal.
Chops have been used in China for more than thirty centuries to
stamp documents and works of art with a signature or seal of
authority. Comprised of a stone with its impression carved into
the bottom, chops were significant in ancient China, since
emperors would seal important documents with them. If a document
was not sealed with the emperor's chop, the recipient would
become suspicious. Reading from right to left and top to bottom,
the meaning of the Chinese characters is "Lee Jun Fan Meng."
Meng simply means name. Hence, "By the Name of Jun Fan
Lee."
The
character in the bottom right square is Bruce Lee's personal
signature in Chinese, an artistic rendition of the Chinese
character "dragon," pronounced "loong" in
Chinese. Bruce Lee had been nicknamed "the little
dragon" since childhood as he had been born in the year of
the dragon. According to the Chinese astrological calendar,
dragons are passionate, honest, brave, and soft-hearted, but
somewhat stubborn, very healthy and energetic. They are
intelligent, gifted, and often perfectionists.
The
use of the three elements explained above is to symbolize that
Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is Bruce Lee's personal art as signified
with his personal stamp and signature. Jun Fan Jeet Kune Do is
Bruce Lee's personal growth in the martial arts, not anyone
else's personal growth. This is the founder's art.
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